R. Kelly tour could be curtailed

JERRY LAI/AP PHOTOR. Kelly, center, leaves Cook County Courthouse following a hearing in his child pornography case Thursday. He avoided arrest by appearing in court.

A judge in Chicago is threatening to derail R. Kelly's current 45-city tour after the singer failed to show up for a hearing Wednesday in connection with child pornography charges that date back five years.

The R&B star, whose career continues to thrive despite his arrest for allegedly filming himself having sex with a young teen, was given special leave to tour by Cook County Circuit Judge Vincent Gaughan. But Kelly's tour bus was pulled over for speeding in Utah early Tuesday and cited for failing to show paperwork verifying that the driver had enough rest, the Chicago Tribune reports. Federal law mandated an eight-hour layover, making Kelly several hours late for Wednesday's hearing.

Prosecutors sought an arrest warrant, but Kelly showed up to court on time yesterday. Gaughan says he'll decide today whether to revoke Kelly's bond or withdraw permission for Kelly to tour, and he'll set a new trial date.

Kelly, 40, has denied the allegations, and the girl, who is now in her early 20s, has told a grand jury she is not the person on the tape.